Hi Capsid,
I am not from Laminar Research; just a flight simmer from downunder.
Having found the specifications of your Mac at the following link https://support.apple.com/kb/SP700?locale=en_US I am of the opinion your system is not capable of running X-Plane 11. Because X-Plane is resource hungry and generates heat in the CPU and GPU your system requires good internal cooling
However check for yourself the minimum specifications and recommended specifications from the X-Plane site found at https://www.x-plane.com/kb/x-plane-11-system-requirements/ As suggested download the demo version first and try.
What ever your system is you need a dedicated graphics card. An integrated card with the motherboard will not work as the software is resource hungry in the CPU and GPU. For best effect X-Plane is designed to run with a screen configuration of 1920 x 1080. Does your system meet this requirement. If you have a 13 inch screen then you will experience difficulties with screen image unless you attach a larger screen.
On the basis you are of the opinion that your system will work you have two options:-
1. Purchase a portable dvd drive that you can connect to your Mac via a USB connection. This is the advice given by Laminar Research, in earlier postings in this forum, to others with Mac or Windows systems that do not have a DVD drive; or as an alternative
2. You could use your friends Windows PC with the DVD drive and load X-Plane onto his machine into a dedicated directory and then copy onto a USB drive and then past onto your machine. However this will not work as the installation will be configured for a windows machine and your is a Mac.
3. On the basis you can find another mate with a Mac with DVD drives then perform the installation as suggested in alternative 2 above as you will perform an installation for a MAC system. What you need to be aware of is the operating system versions between both MACS. If you are successful then go back to your mate in alternative 2 and create an ISO substitute for disc 1 onto a USB instead of the DVD.
I will send you a private message seeking info on how you created the ISO disc.
Good luck with your installation
Glenn